Zhang Jian’s eyes flickered upon hearing this and he said, "Master, I wonder if you could do me a favor..."
"Rescue Emperor Jingwu?" True Monarch Zhanmo looked over and then shook his head.
"It’s useless; Emperor Jingwu has just had his soul injured. Even if rescued, he won’t last long!"
Zhang Jian replied, "No, Master, I just want you to help rescue Empress Qi and a minor prince!"
Upon hearing this, True Monarch Zhanmo looked at Zhang Jian with astonishment.
"Your plan is quite meticulous, but you can handle this yourself!"
"Me?"
Zhang Jian’s face showed surprise.
True Monarch Zhanmo nodded with a smile.
...
In the stone chamber, after the Dong Shen Ancestor left, Jingming Daoist looked at Emperor Jingwu, his expression tense, and spoke in a solemn voice.
"Your Majesty, you must make a choice. This Ancient Realm King Talisman can only take four people away. Besides me and Your Majesty, you can only take two others!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone’s faces in the stone chamber changed, and many concubines looked anxiously at Emperor Jingwu.
"Your Majesty, take me away!"
"Your Majesty, I don’t want to die here!"
One concubine cried out, and several older princes and princesses also looked hopefully at Emperor Jingwu.
"Father, I don’t want to stay here!"
Emperor Jingwu was momentarily flustered by the crowd’s pleading.
Jingming Daoist, however, turned his gaze toward the elders of Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dong Jue, Dongxiao, and other senior members and young cultivators of Dong Shen Temple.
"Uncles and aunts, once we leave, we will surely attract the attention of those powerful figures. Their main target is His Majesty, not you. You can take this opportunity to escape; those seniors have some dignity and shouldn’t pursue you!"
Jingming Daoist’s eyes at this moment showed some helplessness, looking at Dong Jue Daoist with a hint of guilt.
Many elders and disciples of Dong Shen Temple were embarrassed upon hearing this, but knowing Jingming Daoist and others would attract many strong opponents, they felt slightly relieved.
Dong Jue Daoist nodded gently to Jingming Daoist.
"Nephew, be careful. You are indeed in much greater danger than us!"
Emperor Jingwu’s eyes were heavy as he glanced over the many concubines and princes, meeting those expectant eyes, feeling as if a knife were cutting his heart. At this moment, even his forehead started throbbing faintly.
Suddenly, he looked at Jingming Daoist and spoke, "Master Jingming, you say their target is me. If I remain, might there be a chance for the others?"
Jingming Daoist was stunned upon hearing this, his face changed, and he spoke gravely, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Jingwu raised his hand to stop Jingming Daoist, directing his gaze at him.
"Master Jingming, just tell me yes or no!"
Jingming Daoist looked at Emperor Jingwu, then at the elders and peers of Dong Shen Temple, and after a brief silence, nodded slightly.
"Their target is His Majesty, as well as the entire Daqian Royal Family, but primarily His Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu’s eyes showed a slight smile.
"Excellent!"
He then decisively said, "Then I will stay!"
Before Jingming Daoist could speak, he looked reluctantly around at the concubines and princes and said, "Master, the other three are the Empress, Yuan’er, and Cheng’er, take them and leave at once!
I will follow shortly after and provide you with a chance!"
Emperor Jingwu’s eyes now were utterly serene, realizing he could not escape today.
Since that’s the case, he must leave some hope for the Daqian Royal Family.
He looked at the princes and princesses, singling out two who were adult or about to become adult.
Eldest Prince Wei Yuan and Third Prince Wei Cheng!
Beside him, Consort Liu tearfully protested, "Your Majesty, this is unfair to my son!"
Beside her, the thirteen-year-old Second Prince Wei He was thin, with fair skin and bright eyes, gripping Consort Liu’s hand tightly.
Emperor Jingwu did not look more at them, his eyes had a hint of tears, yet resolute, but he still said, "Master, time is fleeting, be prepared!"
Jingming Daoist nodded upon hearing this.
Beside him, Empress Qi wanted to say something, but Jingming Daoist suddenly gazed beyond into the void, where the Cave God Sect Ancestor was entangled with four True Monarchs of Harmonization, the Five-Colored Mountain Peak’s barrier was already broken as the Spirit Treasure was used.
The Ancient Realm King Talisman in his hand suddenly activated, his figure transformed into a stream of light, rolling up three people, swiftly disappearing into a phantom portal.
His movements immediately caught the attention of several True Monarchs of Harmonization engaged in combat.